High School Students Begin Prep for CT World Affairs Council's Annual Model United Nations

The Connecticut World Affairs Council’s annual Model UN program for this fall is already getting underway, even though we’re in the midst of summertime. 

The Model UN experience engages over 1,000 Connecticut students each year. The Model United Nations program engages high school students in international affairs and develops students’ critical thinking and problem-solving skills. Students are empowered to become global citizens and to motivate positive change in the world.

"Being part of Model UN has shown me the motivation students have to lead change in society, and this inspiring energy helps drive my own excitement for what the future holds,” said former CT World Affairs Council Model UN President Anmol Chowdhary.

Over 20% of the students who participate receive need-based scholarships, allowing these students to participate in the program with hundreds of their peers.  Because of supportive contributions, 151 students from the city of Hartford and 52 students from around the state received aid in 2023. Officials anticipate an even greater need this year, and are seeking financial support even as plans unfold for the dynamic program.

Debate topics for the upcoming academic year have been announced, and include:  The Illicit Trade of Conventional Arms, The Future of Work, Affordable & Clean Energy, Preventing the Proliferation of Chemical Weapons, Free & Fair Elections, The Safety of Journalists, and Peacekeeping and Peacebuilding.

The CT World Affairs Council’s Model UN program is exclusively student-run, offering students opportunities to take leadership positions and negotiate with peers. Students experience the inner workings of international policy-making as they tackle global issues and controversies, navigate crisis scenarios, debate solutions and draft resolutions, officials explain.

Through the program, students can to travel to New York to tour the United Nations, meet diplomats from the countries they are representing, and discuss timely global issues with the policy makers who are currently working to solve them. 

The CT World Affairs Council also contributes to the development of the Model UN curriculum for teachers and offers student participants exclusive access to international events and speakers.

The Connecticut program is one of the country’s most established, continuous Model United Nations programs for high school students, with roots tracing back to Hartford High School in 1952.  This year, students attending nearly three dozen Connecticut high schools will be participating.